Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy Using a Virtual Iraq: Case Report

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Maryrose Gerardi, Emory University; Barbara O Rothbaum, Emory University; Kerry Ressler, Emory University; Mary Heekin, Emory University; Albert Rizzo, University of Southern California
• Language: English
• Date: 2008-04-10
• Publisher: Wiley
• Publication Version: Author Accepted Manuscript (After Peer Review)
• Copyright Statement: © 2008 International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies
• Final Published Version (URL): http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/jts.20331/abstract;jsessionid=74AE40D9D17F01D17314DDC33BE85059.f02t04
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: Journal of Traumatic Stress
• ISSN: 0894-9867
• Volume: 21
• Issue: 2
• Start Page: 209
• End Page: 213
• Grant/Funding Information: This study was supported by NIMH Grant #R01-MH070880 awarded to Dr. Rothbaum.
• Research Categories: Health Sciences, Mental Health; Health Sciences, Rehabilitation and Therapy; Psychology, Behavioral

Abstract

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has been estimated to affect up to 18% of returning Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) veterans. Soldiers need to maintain constant vigilance to deal with unpredictable threats, and an unprecedented number of soldiers are surviving serious wounds. These risk factors are significant for development of PTSD; therefore, early and efficient intervention options must be identified and presented in a form acceptable to military personnel. This case report presents the results of treatment utilizing virtual reality exposure (VRE) therapy (virtual Iraq) to treat an OIF veteran with PTSD. Following brief VRE treatment, the veteran demonstrated improvement in PTSD symptoms as indicated by clinically and statistically significant changes in scores on the Clinician Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS; Blake et al., 1990) and the PTSD Symptom Scale Self-Report (PSS-SR; Foa, Riggs, Dancu, & Rothbaum, 1993). These results indicate preliminary promise for this treatment.